Udaipur: Rajasthan authorities on Tuesday took control of parts of Udaipur’s iconic City Palace following a violent clash between two factions of Mewar royal descendants. The unrest arose from a decades-long property and succession dispute, which flared up again due to a ritual associated with the coronation of the kings of Mewar.
The controversy over the family of Chairman Arvind Singh Mewar has deepened. Maharana Charitable Foundation of Mewar (MMCF) and the younger son of Bhagwat Singh Mewar, the last king of Udaipur, against the descendants of his elder brother Mahendra Singh Mewar, who died on November 10 at the age of 83.
Mahendra’s son and BJP MLA from Nathdwara Vishvaraj Singh declared himself the 77th head of the Mewar royal family and held a “coronation” ceremony at the Fateh Prakash Palace in the Chittorgarh Fort on Monday.
Due to long standing feud in Udaipur, Mewar brothers started living separately.
As part of his coronation ritual, Vishvaraja demanded entry into a temple within the City Palace, leading to protests by the MMCF and his uncle’s family. The MMCF had issued a public notice prohibiting unauthorized access to the palace and Eklingji temple, both of which are under the control of the trust. The Trust cites the family history exhibition at the palace, which claims that Mahendra Singh “voluntarily and estranged from his father’s family”.
Vishvaraj attempted to enter the palace temple, but was stopped, resulting in a scuffle that escalated to stone pelting outside the mansion. Many people including police officers were injured. The dispute dates back to 1983, when Mahendra Singh challenged his father over leasing out royal properties and selling stakes in them since 1963. These properties were transferred to a company set up by the family. MMCF lawyer Sheetal Kumbhat said, “Maharana Bhagwat Singh Mewar, through his last will dated May 15, 1984, appointed Arvind Singh Mewar as the executor of the will, the investigation of which has reached the Supreme Court.”
The Trust continues to control several properties including the City Palace and Eklingji Temple. This long-standing rift led to the two brothers living separately: Arvind at Shambhu Niwas in City Palace and Mahendra at the nearby Samor Bagh Haveli.
Criticizing the district administration, Vishwaraj said, “It is my right to visit the temple of my ancestors on such a special occasion. I sought help from the administration, but they did not help. No one can be stopped from visiting a place of worship “
Arvind’s son Lakshyaraj accused his cousin of politicizing the situation and misusing his position. “We are the legal occupiers of the City Palace. If they have any objection, it can be challenged in court,” he said. Vishvaraj is scheduled to visit Eklingji temple on Wednesday.